Seahawks: Is Pete Carroll Throwing in Towel with Tarvaris Jackson?

It’s stupid, I mean, I don’t know how else to describe it other than waiving a giant white flag in the air for the 2011 season.

I give Pete credit for being ballsy. He paid a bounty to go get his quarterback last off season and though he was critiqued by everybody and probably knew he would be he still did it. In the end, it paid off because Whitehurst did pass the Seahawks into an opportunity to historically upset the Saints.

Carroll did just get done dumping the former franchise quarterback and all indications are he is giving a starting gig to somebody who would not be able to start anywhere else in the NFL. I’m not just talking about Jackson, i’m talking about Charlie Whitehurst and (if reports are accurate) Matt Leinart as well.

This is just dumb. There are so many better options out there for the 2011 season if you’re looking to draft a rookie quarterback from the strong 2012 class.

Among actual unrestricted free agents minus veterans to be cut, I would rather have several quarterbacks over Tarvaris.

Bruce Gradkowski has been more successful on a crappy team than Tarvaris has been with arguably the best rushing attack in the league and an actual offensive line in front of him.

Billy Volek is a better passer than Tarvaris Jackson and although he lacks mobility is still one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL right now. I don’t think you will find anyone arguing Jackson is the best backup in the NFL let alone one of the best 32 quarterbacks.

Marc Bulger has proven he can lead a team in the past and I would trust him more throwing the football for my franchise than I would Jackson.

Among potentially available options, I would much rather have Donovan McNabb or Vince Young under center than Jackson. McNabb has pedigree Jackson can’t even begin to stack up to, Despite all of the negativity surrounding him, Vince Young has won games in the NFL and been to multiple pro bowls. If anybody knows what he can do, it’s the man who witnessed him dance into the endzone to effectively silence USC’s reign of terror.

Kyle Orton has a massive salary figure for a backup and reportedly could be had for a third round pick. I wrote that they should pull the trigger and he has been the most successful quarterback out of all of these names mentioned the past two years. He has top 10-12 statistics and is without a doubt the most under appreciated top 16 quarterback in this league.

Rumors are beginning to swirl that the Bengals may soften their stance on Carson Palmer. I would much rather have him under center than Tarvaris Jackson. Kevin Kolb to Seattle talk has heated up as well and while i’m weary of the first round and then some price tag I would rather have him playing quarterback as well.

No matter where else they splurge and how much splurging they do. Whether they snag Sidney Rice, Jonathan Joseph, Cullen Jenkins, Robert Gallery, and Ray Edwards; signing Jackson virtually signals Pete Carroll is not in go mode by any means. I think if Jackson is anointed the starter he will have the support of the team, but it will be tough to justify the move to a starved Seattle fan base after the improbable progress that was made in 2010.

I mean, c’mon, the Mariners have lost 15 straight games, and the Sounders can only carry the mantel so much. I used to play soccer, but in America, it’s just not the same as having a good football team, not even close. I don’t want this team to take a step backwards after showing so much progress and actually finding some really talented young pieces to build with last season. Chris Clemons finished 7th in the league in sacks and Mike Williams is a keeper who has nowhere to go but up after his breakout campaign. Earl Thomas and Russell Okung are on the precipice of top 10 status at their respective positions and Marshawn Lynch looks like an actual tailback.

For Pete’s sake, don’t make Jackson the starter. Your team won’t be quite bad enough to draft Andrew Luck, and you will waste a season for nothing.

(Update)

Matt Leinart has re-signed with the Texans. Hopefully this means the Seahawks pursue a trade for Kyle Orton?